Nottingham Forest fans have been left frustrated after a two-day drought of news on the club’s takeover by an American consortium.
A deal looked to be struck when news came in earlier this week that prospective new owner John Jay Moores was in the UK with the aim of finalising the deal – but since then there has been dead air on the bid.
The former San Diego Padres owner is set to take over at the City Ground in a £50m deal.
Over the weekend he told MLB US columnist Barry Bloom: “I am optimistic that we will close, soon. But nothing definitive.”
Fans of Forest shared similar optimism when news spread that Moores was on his way to London to finalise the deal Tuesday.
Since then however no official news has come out regarding the takeover from the club, from Moores or current owner Fawaz Al-Hazawi, who has now not Tweeted about Forest since wishing fans a Happy New Year on December 31.
On Twitter, Forest fans have began growing restless and frustrated over the lack of news leading to several rumours spreading online.
Bloom, who became a port of call for Forest fans throughout the protracted saga interviewed Moores at the start of January on his plans for Forest when a takeover is completed.
In the interview Moores said: “You’ve got to go in and clean it up, it is not as hard as you might think. You just have to start watching everything.”
Moores did just that when he took over the Padres in 1994, where he redeveloped the stadium and brought strong financial stability to the team.
I can confirm now that John Moores is in a plane on his way London. The #NFFC purchase appears to just about be done. More news later. pic.twitter.com/BjEUdKi0oj
— Barry M. Bloom (@Boomskie) January 10, 2017
The American millionaire says he has similar plans at the City Ground but plans to take a hands off approach and let a trusted team around him take care of affairs on and off the pitch.
“If somebody does his job right, nobody should even know who’s the owner, nobody should even care.”
The San Diego Padres experienced their most successful spell during John Jay Moores tenure, winning four National League West titles and reaching the World Series, the Champions League final of Baseball.
Bloom vented his frustration at fans yesterday on Twitter and confirmed there are no updates as of yet on the takeover.
To #NFFC fans: I’ve said all day that when I have news I will post. Please stop DMing me and passing around unsubstantiated rumors. Thanks.
— Barry M. Bloom (@Boomskie) January 12, 2017
Co-founder of the Forest Supporters Trust, Richard Antcliff told Notts TV last year: “Moores comes with a great pedigree for his involvement in the San Diego Padres, their fans speak of how well respected he was and he obviously has a lot of experience with sport at the highest level.”
Antcliff says he would like to see more money invested in home grown talent when a takeover is completed: “Hopefully we will be able to invest money in new players and the academy, I would like to see the academy built on and harvest home grown talent.”
Moores may not be the only new addition to the City Ground in the coming weeks with several media outlets reporting that former Birmingham City manager Gary Rowett could take over from current manager Philip Montanier.
